Porter skips the middleman to secure Astros’ 8-6 win over Blue Jays

TORONTO — Watching a five-run eighth-inning lead suddenly dwindle down to two and having little faith in the majority of a bullpen that gave up eight runs in one game-changing frame less than 24 hours ago, Astros manager Bo Porter made the call.

Lefthanded starter Dallas Keuchel, who entered the eighth Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays seeking the Astros’ first complete game of the season, was out. Closer Jose Veras was in.

The 32-year-old Veras had saved only one game since July 4, hadn’t recorded more than four outs all season and the Astros still had five to go.

None of that mattered.

Porter wanted a win. The 6-6, 240-pound Veras’ right arm was ready. And Toronto’s Nos. 4-9 hitters were soon swiftly erased as the Astros fought off another late-game collapse for an 8-6 victory at the Rogers Centre.

A club that has regularly blown close, winnable games since the All-Star break won for just the third time since July 7 and sixth in its last 27 contests.

“It was a good win for a ballclub that obviously has played well but not well enough to get over the hump,” Porter said.

Veras entered the 2013 campaign with only five saves in seven seasons. Through 103 contests with a rebuilding club that is 33 games below .500, Veras has 19 saves and a 2.93 ERA and hasn’t blown an attempt since May 24.

Hitting the jackpot

Few of the Astros’ offseason moves have worked. The move to turn Veras from a late-inning set-up man into a full-time closer hasn’t just succeeded — Veras has excelled. And he has joined No. 1 starter Bud Norris as one of the club biggest trade assets as Wednesday’s non-waiver deadline approaches.

“God took care of me with that power. … When you throw the seventh and eighth, sometimes you get three outs, four outs and the people in the media just say, ‘He’s doing a good job.’ But when you get that thing done as a closer, it’s different. It’s huge,” said Veras, who allowed just one hit in 12⁄3 innings after taking over for Keuchel.

The second-year starter entered the eighth at 85 pitches and was on target to record the second complete game of his career. Back-to-back singles by Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera created trouble, though, and a three-run homer pulled to left field by Jose Bautista suddenly made seven sharp Astros innings begin to look like Friday’s 12-6 meltdown played back on a video loop.

“I definitely felt (the complete game). When I went out for the eighth, those first couple warmup pitches I was like, ‘Oh, man, that feels good,’ ” said Keuchel, who allowed 10 hits and six runs while striking out six and walking one in 71⁄3 innings. “The body was getting tired. But it’s one of those things where adrenalin takes over and it’s like, ‘All right, I’m going to try to do this.’ ”

A four-run first inning set up the Astros, who hit three home runs to offset 14 strikeouts. Chris Carter’s three-run blast in the first highlighted an improved attack from a team initially woken up by the speedy 1-2 combo of leadoff man Jonathan Villar and Jose Altuve.

“(Villar) is a very astute, instinctive baseball player,” said Porter, referring to a rookie shortstop who went 1-for-3 with two runs and two walks. “He understands the game and what’s going on.”

Little faith in relievers

Justin Maxwell and Matt Dominguez hit back-to-back homers in the fourth, the third time this season the Astros have done so.

Porter had spent his pregame media session acknowledging his bullpen must fix itself or be prepared for major changes, and he was still looking backward postgame after Veras’ five outs were complete.

There was no middleman and no room for error Saturday. It was just a starter and a closer and a victory that was within reach.

“Once he got through the seventh, it was going to be from Keuchel to Veras,” Porter said.

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July 28: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1

Despite the loss, Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart was effective in his third start.

July 28: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1

Despite the loss, Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart was effective in his third start.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Robbie Grossman of the Astros makes a catch for an out.

Robbie Grossman of the Astros makes a catch for an out.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is unable to locate a ball hit in foul territory.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is unable to locate a ball hit in foul territory.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers a throw to the Blue Jays.

Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers a throw to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated by third base coach Dave Trembley after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated by third base coach Dave Trembley after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout for his solo shot in the fourth inning.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout for his solo shot in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Marc Krauss of the Astros steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Marc Krauss of the Astros steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays steals second base in the fourth inning during as Jonathan Villar of the Astros jumps for the ball on a throwing error.

Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays steals second base in the fourth inning during as Jonathan Villar of the Astros jumps for the ball on a throwing error.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Blue Jays pitcher Todd Redmond delivers a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher Todd Redmond delivers a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays is tagged out at home plate by Carlos Corporan of the Astros in the fourth inning.

Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays is tagged out at home plate by Carlos Corporan of the Astros in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros outfielder Brandon Barnes prevents a ball from leaving the park during the eighth inning.

Astros outfielder Brandon Barnes prevents a ball from leaving the park during the eighth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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July 27: Astros 8, Blue Jays 6

Brett Wallace of the Astros makes a hit against the Blue Jays.

July 27: Astros 8, Blue Jays 6

Brett Wallace of the Astros makes a hit against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel makes a throw against the Blue Jays.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel makes a throw against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar turns a double play.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar turns a double play.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated after hitting a home run.

Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros hits a solo home run against the Blue Jays.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros hits a solo home run against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after hitting a home run.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after hitting a home run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Dallas Keuchel of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Dallas Keuchel of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson makes a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson makes a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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July 26: Blue Jays 12, Astros 6

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

July 26: Blue Jays 12, Astros 6

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey makes a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey makes a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays is unable to get to a home run hit by Marc Krauss of the Astros.

Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays is unable to get to a home run hit by Marc Krauss of the Astros.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez of the Astros congratulates Marc Krauss on his two-run home run during the second inning.

J.D. Martinez of the Astros congratulates Marc Krauss on his two-run home run during the second inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Maicer Izturis of the Blue Jays gets the out at second base during as Brett Wallace of the Astros slides.

Maicer Izturis of the Blue Jays gets the out at second base during as Brett Wallace of the Astros slides.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar makes a throw in the infield.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar makes a throw in the infield.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Chris Carter of the Astros congratulates teammate Jose Altuve after scoring a run.

Chris Carter of the Astros congratulates teammate Jose Altuve after scoring a run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jose Reyes of the Blue Jays celebrates his solo home run in the third inning.

Jose Reyes of the Blue Jays celebrates his solo home run in the third inning.